France rocked by nationwide clashes, blazes and looting
Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests
Blinken heads to Saudi Arabia amid strained ties, Israel normalization in mind
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Blinken heads to Saudi Arabia amid strained ties, Israel normalization in mind
14 Sept 02:47Key points summarised by AI
Secretary Blinken embarks on a mission to Saudi Arabia, aiming to stabilize the U.S.-Riyadh relationship amidst deepening disagreements on regional security, Iran policy, and oil prices.
A key objective is to advance prospects for Saudi-Israeli normalization, which Washington views as a significant national security interest, while also countering Chinese and Russian influence.
The visit confronts a backdrop of strained ties, exacerbated by Saudi Arabia's recent oil production cuts, human rights concerns, and Riyadh's increasing independent regional actions.
Discussions will navigate complex issues, including regaining U.S. sway over oil markets and addressing Saudi Arabia's evolving regional role and internal reforms.
Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests
Yesterday 12:56Key points summarised by AI
President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.